The role of NDE in predicting residual life for aircraft engine components

Abstract

This paper outlines major changes which have occurred in the methods used for predicting the residual life of cyclically stressed critical rotating elements of aircraft engines, and the consequent increased importance of quantifying the performance of NDE processes through measurement of the probability of detection. Both industrial companies and government agencies have expended considerable efforts on defining methods of measurement of inspection process capability, on reviewing statistical techniques for their analysis, and on development of automated inspection systems to provide the enhanced sensitivity and reliability necessary for the detection of flaws of size relevant to damage-tolerant life management of fracture-critical components. The increasingly global nature of both military and civil aviation industries makes these programmes of international interest.